(INDIANAPOLIS) - District 10 Indiana Conservation Officers have nominated Officer Keith Wildeman as the District 10 Conservation Officer of the Year.

Officer Wildeman is well respected among his peers and other local law enforcement agencies. He excels in fish and wildlife law enforcement and is very active in hunter and trapper education.

He has been previously recognized as the District 10 Hunter Education Association Officer of The Year in 2011 and 2012 and the District 10 Boating Officer Of The Year in 2013 and 2014.

Officer Wildeman, currently serves as a division firearms armorer, boat accident investigator, National Archery in the Schools Program Instructor, Indiana Hunter Education Association Representative, Officer Counselor at the Indiana Conservation Officers Youth Camp, and is a certified wildland firefighter.

Officer Wildeman holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Wildlife Management from Purdue University and was hired by the Indiana DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife in 2003 working at Kingsbury and Lasalle Fish and Wildlife Areas as Assistant Property Manager. In 2009, he was hired as an Indiana Conservation Officer and graduated from the 29th ICO Recruit School.

A native of Evansville, Officer Wildeman was originally assigned to Starke County where he currently lives and works today.

The Law Enforcement Division consists of ten districts statewide. Every year, each district selects a district "Officer of the Year" by vote of their fellow officers. Each officer chosen is then eligible for the state "Officer of the Year" to be selected by the Director of the Law Enforcement Division.

The officer chosen will then receive the "Pitzer Award". This award was created, as a memorial, of Indiana Conservation Officer James D. Pitzer who was shot and killed in the line of duty.